The value in taking time out to put your most resilient team forward
Current news shows One Direction boy band “taking a break” having been together for five years. We can speculate all we like but only they will know the true reasons for their impending hiatus. Whilst fans are left feeling sad this could be seen as a tactical career strategy. Retreat back for now. Re-energise. Take stock.
Ed Sheeran, has announced he is choosing to take a break from social media. By “buggering off for a while” and retreating from the social limelight allows him to enjoy his travels and have some space away from the public eye. Consolidate. Strengthen.
On hearing this news I started thinking about the word RETREAT
Meaning in general terms: The act or process of moving back or away, especially from something hazardous, formidable or unpleasant.
Meaning in Leadership terms: The process of changing or undergoing change in one’s thinking or in a position
For some of us when we think of the word “retreat” we do so in warfare terms. Often seen as an effective tactical strategy in moving to ground that can be more easily defended in order to consolidate. A careful choice of retreating to think and perhaps avoid disaster. For others, we think about a spiritual retreat – a time of solitude or a community experience.
In looking at our own day to day lives, the pressures faced could be deemed unpleasant… even insurmountable. For some of us we may even compare it to being in the frontline. How we fare on a day to day basis is determined by our resilience levels.
Ignoring the consequences of daily pressure at work could potentially lead to an HR disaster.
Is resilience training and stress awareness a priority for you and your team in the New Year – you have a choice.
Some Stress Statistics:
- 39%: the total number of cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2013–14 for all work-related illnesses.
- 11.3 million: the total number of working days lost due to stress, depression or anxiety in 2013–14, an average of 23 days per case of stress, depression or anxiety.
Source: The labour force survey, Office for National Statistics, updated October 2014)
Benefits of Emotional Resilience:
- Greater ability to cope in adverse times
- Improved enjoyment of change
- A more positive outlook
- Greater emotional awareness leading to improved ability to connect and influence
- Improved focus
Are you the kind of troop leader that is interested in developing strategic tactical insights in your company culture?
I am not suggesting for a minute that we are all fortunate enough to be in pop star positions to have the option of retreating for months on end. What could be of interest is the 2 ½ day Executive Resilience retreat we have specially formulated for business leaders and teams. If not a retreat, then perhaps some “time out” for clever pragmatic thinking in your HR planning for 2016. Some careful consideration on consolidation and how to equip your force with the best armour.
We’d love to talk to you!
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